Former NCAA DIII College Athletes: Perceptions And Plans For Maintaining Exercise Post-Sport

College athletes in the United States exhibit various declines in physical/mental health following sports retirement. These observed changes in health may be caused by various factors, including reduced exercise rates following the cessation of regular sports training. To date, it is unknown how former athletes’ perceptions of health and fitness change after retiring and affect their exercise behavior post-sport. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore former Division III (DIII) athletes’ perceptions of health and fitness and future plans for exercise maintenance in the absence of sports training. METHODS: Alumni student-athletes from Hope College (class of 2023) completed semi-structured interviews via Zoom between May-June 2023. Interview transcriptions were analyzed using Consensual Qualitative Research methods to form domains, categories, and core ideas elucidating participants’ lived experiences relating to exercise and their perceptions of health. RESULTS: Participants were 19 former DIII athletes (22±1 years, 37% male, 84% White, 26% Exercise Science). The analysis yielded five domains: “Reasons Why Former Athletes are Exercising”, “Shifting Ideas on How to Exercise Without Sports Training”, “Barriers that Limit an Active Lifestyle”, “Not a Priority”, and “Figuring it Out”. CONCLUSION: Former athletes reported less exercise than when still training in college, expected exercise volumes to never reach college-sport levels again, and were generally unconcerned with these declines. A “seasonality” effect was observed; all participants mentioned the need for a post-sport break from exercise, but those who retired in the fall/winter were able to facilitate their behavior due to access to on-campus resources over those who retired in the spring. Former athletes also contended with an influx in autonomy for exercise post-sport; they preferred activities familiar to them, but were open to trying new forms of exercise, and sought to be active with family and friends to stay accountable. Participants were largely unaware of the healthy thresholds dictated by the Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults, and many mentioned needing to expand their knowledge base to improve their future behavior. Researchers may use these results to better prepare athletes for their retirement in the future. This study was funded by the Hope College Jacob E. Nyenhuis Faculty Development Grant.